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Episode Notes
Today we hear about an Urban tree survey conducted by researchers from UCD & MIT
We continue efforts to highlight the decline in Curlew numbers by taking to Jack O Brien about the work of the Curlew conservation programme in the Slieve Aughty Mountains in County Galway.
We meet the sturgeon fish farmer Kenneth Benning who says that he can produce fish free caviar.
INVASIVE SPECIES ALERT!
An Asian Hornet found in France in 2014 - Photo Getty
The National Parks and Wildlife Service as issued an Invasive Species Alert for the Asian hornet.
PIGEONS AT BLESSINGTON STREET BASIN
Derek recently took these photo's of pigeons at Blessington street Basin in Dublin.
URBAN TREE STUDY
If we close our eyes and imagine the wonderful environmental amenity which trees provide – our minds may wander off into idyllic rural settings – and far from the hustle and bustle of built-up areas.
But with over 63% of Ireland's population now living in our towns and cities – it is becoming more and more important to study the impact of trees within our built environment.
Dr Nadina Galle, researcher at the UCD Spatial Dynamics Lab
Urban trees provide ecosystem services for citizens, such as helping to filter air and water, controlling stormwater, offering shade, and providing wildlife habitat.
UCD and MIT in the US have looked at eight major international cities to increase understanding of trees in built-up areas.
Dr Nadina Galle is a researcher at the UCD Spatial Dynamics Lab. She is currently based in Curacao in the Dutch Caribbean from where she joined Eanna and Richard.
Curlew Conservation Programme - Sliabh Aughty Mountains 2021
While Curlew are not uncommon on our coasts through winter – some 90% of the Irish breeding population have vanished since the 1970s.
A curlew in Cork 2017 - Photo Getty
A 2015-2017 survey by the NPWS and Birdwatch Ireland found that only 138 breeding pairs remain.
The Curlew Conservation Programme focuses on nine of the most important areas in Ireland for breeding pairs. The Slieve Aughty on the Clare/Galway boarder is one of these areas.
Jack O' Donovan is with the Curlew Conservation Programme at the Sliabh Aughty Mountains, from where he joined Eanna and Richard.
Fish Free Caviar
We meet the sturgeon fish farmer Kenneth Benning who says that he can produce fish free caviar.